Is it permissible for a traveler who meets the conditions for shortening and combining prayers to combine the Dhuhr and Asr prayers and omit the Friday prayer?

Scholars differ regarding the permissibility of availing dispensations (rukhsa) during travel solely for sightseeing. Shafi'i jurists prohibit this, while they permit it for recreational travel (nuzha). Hanbali scholars, on the other hand, favored the permissibility of availing dispensations for recreational travel and sightseeing.

Accordingly, if the travel is for recreation, then availing dispensations is permissible. However, if it is solely for sightseeing, it is more cautious not to avail them. Scholars also differed on the ruling of traveling on Friday before zawal (midday). The preponderant view is its permissibility, but it is more cautious to avoid it.

The majority of scholars hold that the Friday prayer is not obligatory for a traveler, and they are permitted to combine and shorten prayers whenever the conditions for travel are met. If it is possible to attend the Friday prayer, that is more preferable. Scholars also differed on the permissibility of combining Asr with Jumu'ah prayer as an early combination (jam' taqdim), and it is more preferable not to combine them.